Measures to ensure free flow of essentials to Kashmir valley

Published: Tuesday, August 5, 2008, 20:06 [IST]

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Srinagar, Aug 5 (UNI) Jammu and Kashmir Government, with close cooperation of the centre, is making all-out efforts to keep the Srinagar-Jammu National Highway through for movement of load carriers and fuel tankers as the situation on this account has improved over the last two days.

Fuel and essential supplies carrying trucks are arriving here on a regular basis even as fruit transportation to the markets outside the Valley is also picking up.

An official spokesman here said today that transportation of fresh fruit from and import of essentials to Kashmir is being arranged by the administration and it is also taking pro-active steps to ensure smooth movement of trucks on the National Highway.

The high level central team comprising union secretaries of home and defence reviewed the situation with the State officers this morning where the free and hassle-free flow of load carriers was accorded the top most priority.

The spokesman said the law and order situation had disrupted truck movement on the National Highway and caused concern. He said that there have been some unfortunate incidents causing apprehensions among truck drivers.

He said although the movement of trucks on the Highway had slowed down but it never came to a halt as supplies have been arriving in the Valley regularly.

He said the administration was determined to fully secure the Highway.

The situation is being closely monitored at the highest level. He said the Governor, N N Vohra has given clear instructions to secure the National Highway for free movement of trucks on both sides of the Jawahar Tunnel.

Free flow of fruit trucks and those carrying other merchandise through Punjab has also been taken up at the highest level with the central government.

He said measures taken in this regard have started showing results on ground.

Giving the latest figures, the spokesman said today up to 5 pm., 12 fruit trucks left Srinagar for onward journey to fruit markets in the country.

He said 9 vegetable trucks also left this place in the morning.

He said the government is also considering other options of sending fresh fruit from the Valley to markets in the country. He said eight fuel and LPG tankers also arrived here till mid day today, besides 46 trucks of sheep and 18 petrol, 12 diesel and 15 kerosene tankers reached Srinagar yesterday, Ten trucks of fresh fruit, one LPG tanker and one milk tanker also reached Srinagar.

He said the stock position of medicines in the Valley was also reviewed at a high level meeting yesterday where retailers and wholesale dealers in medicines assured the government that there is no scarcity of medicines and life saving drugs.

The State Government, he said, has also assured to provide all necessary support to enable them import medicines directly from New Delhi by air.